So, what’s a free kick in the NFL?
If a player makes a fair catch, his team may attempt a kick from the spot of the catch on the next play without pressure from the defense. If the kick goes through the uprights, it’s a field goal for three points.
At the end of the first half last night, a swift three-and-out by the Denver Broncos offense forced them to punt with 8 seconds left in the first half. A fair catch by the Charger punt returner was intended on the Charger 38-yard line. However, due to the Broncos’ interference penalty, the fair catch wasn’t made and a 15-yard penalty was applied. So while the fair catch itself was errant, there was intent to make a fair catch thus making the Chargers eligible for a free kick.
No time was left on the clock but halves – and games – can’t end with a defensive penalty so the Chargers were given one untimed down. Due to the 15-yard infraction, the Chargers found themselves with the ball on the Bronco 47-yard line, in a position for a 57-yard fair catch free kick, an uncommon tactic in football.
Why don’t we see this more often?
1. Generally, players signal for fair catches when their team is outside field goal range, and
2. Punt return interference, an infraction that results in the return team receiving an additional 15 yards, occurs relatively rarely.
Of course, a field goal can be attempted on any down. What separates a fair catch “free kick” from a “field goal” is the former can be attempted comfortably, without pressure from the defense or a snap from the center. It’s basically a kick-off with the intent of putting the ball through the uprights.
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker achieved a remarkable feat on Thursday night by making the longest fair catch free kick in NFL history. His impressive 57-yard attempt not only set a new record but also narrowed the score to 21-13 against the Broncos going into halftime. This achievement surpasses the previous long of 52 yards set by Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers back in 1962.
There have been at least 29 documented instances of fair catch free kicks during regular NFL seasons. The most recent attempt occurred in 2019 when Carolina kicker Joey Slye tried a 60-yard kick against the Buccaneers, which was unsuccessful. The last successful execution of this play was by Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers in 1976.
Broncos coach Sean Payton noted during a television broadcast that their team practices for these situations, underscoring its strategic significance even though it is rarely used.
The Chargers won 34-27.